The original Uncle Sam bank was made in 1886 by the Shepard Hardware Co. of Buffalo, N.Y. The cast-iron mechanical bank has an umbrella-carrying Uncle Sam standing on a decorated base holding a suitcase. Place a coin in his hand, press the knob on the box and Uncle Sam lowers his arm and puts the money into his satchel. His lower jaw moves as if he is talking. It was an 1880s joke, showing Uncle Sam-the government-taking citizens' money. The...